Texan Akeem Shavers finds home, success on and off field with Purdue

DALLAS -- That Purdue enters today's inaugural Heart of Texas Bowl as prohibitive underdogs to Oklahoma State seems to be as appropriate as black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.

The Boilermakers, after all, and their standout running back Akeem Shavers are survivors, with persistence and ignoring their doubters the only reasons for their appearance at 11 a.m. today at the storied Cotton Bowl in Fair Park.

"This is a dream come true," said Shavers, Purdue's lead back from Texarkana, Texas. "This will be the first time I actually played in the Cotton Bowl. It's a little surreal."

Purdue persevered through a five-game losing streak midway through the season before making an improbable run of three straight road victories -- including winning in Iowa City for the first time in 20 years -- simply to become bowl-eligible.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

Related stories from Fort Worth Star Telegram

He appeared in all 12 games last year and rushed for 519 yards and six touchdowns, but set the tone for his senior season with an MVP selection at the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl where he gained a career-high 149 yards on 22 carries against Western Michigan.

As the team's lead back in 2012, Shavers has totaled 1,104 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns.

The Boilermakers, with Shavers and Ralph Bolden getting the bulk of the carries, averaged 201 rushing yards in the three-game winning streak.

Shavers had 118 total yards and a touchdown in the Iowa upset and 99 yards rushing and a touchdown against Illinois.

He saved his best for the finale, 126 yards rushing and a touchdown and 99 yards receiving and two touchdowns in the bowl clincher.

"The last three games he's been tremendous," Purdue interim coach Patrick Higgins said. "He's a quality individual.

"He represents us in a fashion we want to be represented in, he's very humble and he does a great job on the football field."

Shavers is one of seven players on the Purdue roster who won't look at you funny if you tell them "Howdy." That includes freshman offensive lineman J.J. Prince of Southlake Carroll.

The Texans are a tight-knit group, he said.

"It's like you never left home," Shavers said of his experience at Purdue. "They bring you in and treat you like family."